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Do I need to mod my bass?

Osztertag2112

Osztertag2112

Guest
Jan 27, 2013
351
63
#1
Hey guys i bought a cheap beater project bass for $50 and ibwas gonna make it fretless and Ive started to strip it down already bcause i wanna refinish it but id really like to get that late 60s beefy jack bruce, mel schacher type tone. So my question is, right now it just has a p/j set up, but will i need that classic mudbucker to gey the sound im looking for. The bass is in pieces now and im not sure if it will have the sound im looking for wheb its finished so id lile to know if i should route a hole in it now for a humbucker???
 
#2
Yes, you should mod it any way you want. I did the same thing a few years ago - got a relatively cheap bass and learned how to do mods with it. When all was said and done I gave it to some kid but it was a great learning experience on refinishing in tongue oil, replacing hardware and pickups, etc. I say go for it and good luck.

Also, it helped me get the desire to do "bass mods" out of my system for awhile. Now I just play my basses the way they are and leave 'em alone.
 
#4
Putting in a similar looking pickup gives you no guarantees. So the answer is, installing a mudbucker probably won't get you what you want. But it's a $50 bass- mod away. Just don't set your expectations high.
 
#7
Aaaannnndddd, with any bass tone/sound other than a clean or natural tone (in which the hands/technique/style will have more of an impact), the amps/preamp/cab etc. can have a lot to do with the end result when any kind of grindy or overdriven sound is the target.
 
#8
Allparts sells Gibson-style humbucker repro's. Don't know what they sound like, but it's your only practical option. Buying an original 60's/70's Gibson factory pickup will likely set you back a couple hundred bucks.
 

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